Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Online | clarku.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Clark University, located in Worcester, Massachusetts' second-largest city approximately 45 miles west of Boston, occupies an urban residential neighborhood near the city's center. The institution, founded in 1887 as the first all-graduate school in the United States, later expanded to include undergraduate education and maintains selective admission standards. The 50-acre campus features a mix of Victorian-era and modern buildings, with all first-year students guaranteed housing in the residential halls. Clark is recognized for its academic programs in psychology, geography, and environmental science, building upon its legacy as the institution where Robert Goddard conducted his pioneering rocketry research and where G. Stanley Hall established the first psychology laboratory in the country. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Clark Cougars, primarily in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Clark University is rated within the top 26% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Clark University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#153 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#120 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#17 in Best Colleges in Massachusetts
#17 in Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
#237 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#18 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1240/1400 |
| ACT | 30/33 |
| GPA | 3.69 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $400 |
| Room and Board | $11,690 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $950 |
| Total One Year Cost | $68,700 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 27% |
| Psychology | 17% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Communication | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Clark University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=165334 IPEDS survey data for Clark University.
Current students may use the Clark University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025